[TeeZee]

Hi, I downloaded some program called 'True Sword' that was meant to clean viruses and trojans. Once I rebooted, I now get a message "Explorer.exe application error 0xc0000005 Click ok to terminate". After that it goes to a blank desktop. I can still use alt+ctl+del to open some stuff (but not explorer), but don't know what to do from here. How can I restore the explorer.exe that stupid program removed? I tried system restore, but it won't open. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Hello and welcome to Geeks to Go.

Can you boot into Safe Mode and remove that program, or does Safe Mode not work?

[computerwiz12890]

Hello and welcome to Geeks to Go.

Can you boot into Safe Mode and remove that program, or does Safe Mode not work?

[TeeZee]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes, I can boot into safe mode, but am not sure of how to remove it.

[computerwiz12890]

Use Add/Remove Programs found in Control Panel.

[TeeZee]

I actually get the same error in safe mode. I actually removed the program half way through running it, so it shouldn't be there.

[computerwiz12890]

So you are able to get into Safe Mode and then navagate through your computer, but it had an error during the uninstallation, correct?

If so, you can try to use System Restore while in Safe Mode in order to restore you computer to a point in time before you had True Sword.

PS: I have plenty of ideas . We just gotta figure out which one works . If you can't use System Restore doesn't work in Safe Mode, I've got 3 more things you can try.

Edited by computerwiz12890, 04 January 2006 - 12:01 PM.

[TeeZee]

Thanks, wiz. Actually, when I go into safe mode, I get the same error. The only way I can get around is with task manager. I've tried System Restore, and it opens but then freezes up.

[dsenette]

"Rogue/Suspect" means that these products are of unknown, questionable, or dubious value as anti-spyware protection.
Some of the products listed on this page simply do not provide proven, reliable anti-spyware protection or may be prone to ridiculous false positives. Others may use unfair, deceptive, high pressure sales tactics to scare up sales from gullible, confused users. A very few of these products are either associated with known distributors of spyware/adware or have been known to install spyware/adware themselves.

edit: this info is more for computerwiz...not teezee

Edited by dsenette, 04 January 2006 - 12:24 PM.

[computerwiz12890]

Thanks dsenette. I had a feeling it was rogue.


Here's the 3 things you can try, from the most likely to work to the least likely:

1. Repair Windows XP. You will need an XP CD. If you are not sure how to initiate a repair, check out this link: http://www.geekstogo...ws-XP-t138.html

2. Run chkdsk /r You can do this from Run in the Start Menu, from Task Manager, or a DOS prompt. Note the space between chkdsk and /r. You may or may not need an XP CD.

3. Download the trial version of Aston. You can temporarily use it instead of Explorer to uninstall True Sword, and then check your computer for further infections. It may not be possible for you to install Aston in your current situation.

Let me know how it goes.

[TeeZee]

Thanks again, guys. Well I don't have a XP disk, so I tried to run chkdsk and got a message "cannot run because the volume is in use by another process".

I installed Aston and got a start menu back, cool! I used AVG to search for infections and there are none. I uninstalled True Sword as soon as I realized it was weird, and it is not showing on the add/remove list.

Any other ideas?

[computerwiz12890]

Great! See if System Restore will work with Aston.

Whether it works or not, follow the directions at the following address to clean any infections you may have:

http://www.geekstogo...?showtopic=2852

Let me know how it goes.